Type

Picnic areas

Where

Broken Head Nature Reserve in North Coast

Accessibility

Medium

Entry fees

Park entry fees apply

What to
bring

Drinking water, sunscreen, hat

Please note

Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch or whale watch.

Just a short drive or bike ride from Byron Bay, and you can enjoy an early morning swim or surf, followed by a peaceful walk along the beach. Then, after you’ve worked up a morning appetite, wander back to Broken Head picnic area and indulge in a satisfying barbecue breakfast.

Spread a blanket on the grass and laze away the day under a shady tree with a good book listening to the sounds of the rainforest behind you. Or head back to the beach for a spot of fishing and a game of cricket with the kids.

It’s a perfect place to just relax, yet there’s so much to explore here. Wander through the lush rainforest to Three Sisters lookout for spectacular views and whale watching. Or enjoy the birdwatching opportunities under the rainforest canopy and along the water’s edge.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Visitor info

Maps and downloads

Learn more

Aboriginal cultural heritage

Broken Head Nature Reserve is co-managed by NPWS and the Arakwal People, acknowledging the cultural significance of this land to Aboriginal People. Three Sisters, previously known as Cocked Hat Rocks, is an important cultural site representing a story about a young Aboriginal woman who was caught in a strong current when swimming in this area. When her sister attempted to save her, they both drowned and were transformed into stone. This story was told to warn children not to swim in the strong and dangerous currents here.

Botanical wonders

Whether you’re a botanist or just a nature-lover, it’s not hard to appreciate the incredible biodiversity at Broken Head. This small reserve protects three endangered plant communities: littoral and lowland rainforest, headland grasses and woodlands. There are 240 different plant species here, 12 of which are threatened in NSW and six in Australia, such as the white lace flower rainforest tree, which you might see standing tall along the entrance road in summer dotted with fluffy white ball flowers.

Rich bird and animal life

Broken Head Nature Reserve is a haven for birdwatchers and animal-lovers. Thanks to the plentiful supply of food on the NSW North Coast, the area is visited by many migratory and nomadic birds, flying-foxes and micro-bats. Three Sisters lookout is a great place for birdwatching and spotting migrating whales in winter and spring. Wandering along the beaches and in the rainforest, you’re sure to meet locals like brush turkeys patrolling the understorey in their search for food. But you might also be lucky enough to spot threatened species like the colourful wompoo fruit-dove, with its spectacular green, purple, and yellow plumage.